Nation

Beef up security around Seremban church, MCA tells cops

PETALING JAYA: MCA has called on the authorities to beef up security around the Church of Visitation in Seremban following the death of robbery and assault victim Sister Julianna Lim.

In a statement, the party’s Syariah Law and Policy Implementation Special Task Force deputy chairman, Datuk Koo Chin Nam, said while the police had, since the May 14 attack, set up a mobile police beat opposite the church, he hoped it would become a permanent feature there.

“I urge the police to conduct more frequent patrols and enforcement around the church, especially early morning before sunrise as some parishioners attend the first mass of the day like the two nuns did last week,” he said.

Koo also called upon the Seremban Municipal Council to install more street lights and CCTVs in the vicinity of the church to deter would-be criminals after several parishioners complained of having fallen victims to snatch thieves.

During the 6am incident, 69-year-old Sister Julianna and her fellow Holy Infant Jesus Order nun, Sister Marie Rose alias Theresa Teng, 79, were repeatedly hit with a helmet by an assailant after arriving early for the morning mass.

The Catholic nuns apparently had only a few ringgit each in their small handbags in addition to pocket Bibles and rosaries in what appeared to be a robbery.

Sister Julianna died at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital on Tuesday without regaining consciousness following the vicious attack.

Sister Marie Rose, who suffered head injuries, has since been discharged.